Letter from the editor: Keeping with tradition

However you choose to spend the holidays, chances are you probably have a tradition or two you enjoy every year. These rituals and the people we do them with, make the season bright, which is why for this issue of Cobb Life magazine, we chose to focus on our favorite customs.

After the last two years, traditions bring a sense of normalcy back to our lives and ground us in a way we haven’t felt like in a long time (is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they might just float off into space since the pandemic started?). Here are a few traditions I like to get into every year.

Ever since I’ve had a place of my own, decorating for the holidays has been like an Olympic sport. Christmas is no exception. I use a live tree and wreath to decorate my porch and living room. I hang handmade ornaments my great grandmother made more than half a century ago in the branches. I hang stockings, I fill the rooms with pine scent and adorn everything with a dash of red that I possibly can. Despite the difference in square footage, my home often looks like former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and Marie Barnes’ Whitlock home at Christmastime. I’ve never had room for 19 Christmas trees like the Barnes, but it’s safe to say, if I had the space, I would.

Surely you’ve seen their outdoor decorations for nearly every national holiday while driving to the Marietta Square. But the Barnes were kind enough to give us a look inside their home for this year’s holiday issue. I hope their home will inspire your holiday spirit and maybe even give you an idea for your own seasonal décor.

Of course, decorating is only half the fun. Cooking is another favorite pastime. December is quite the season to indulge. I can’t explain it, but every year I buy a peppermint milkshake from Chick-fil-a, without fail. But I also enjoy making special treats at home. From cranberry white chocolate cheesecake to spritz cookies to roasts, spending time in the kitchen is almost a requirement for the holidays in my book. Whether you’re in the kitchen cooking, baking, helping or eating, I’m sure it is for your household, too. Thanks to Deborah Johnson, you don’t have to feel guilty about all the sweet treats and decadent dishes you enjoy this year. She’s whipped up five guilt-free holiday recipes for you to try out this year. I’m certainly going to add them to my dinner party menu.

Our cover story about the Cobb County-born tradition, “The Elf on the Shelf,” is sure to bring some fun to your home. Though my family didn’t participate in the tradition when I was a child, I had a blast rearranging the Elf with Rickelle and Justin Hadley for the story’s photo shoot. Not only that, but seeing all the crazy scenarios families find their elves in (fishing for goldfish off the toilet seat, swinging from the ceiling, sneaking into the cookie jar, wrapping the children’s tennis shoes in cellophane, etc.) makes me want to join in on the fun. But did you know that “The Elf on the Shelf,” started as a Christmas tradition with a local family nearly 50 years ago? Cobb Life writer Jon Styf spoke to the founders about how they’ve grown from a small family-owned business to a global Christmas enterprise in just 16 years.

Holiday shopping usually makes the cut for my traditions, too. Believe it or not, searching for the perfect gift for my friends and family brings me more joy and excitement than receiving any gift. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not one to turn down a present. But there’s something special about hand selecting an item that reminds you of someone else and seeing their face when they unwrap it — retelling the story of how you found it and why you picked it just for them. As an avid art and antique collector, I often find these unique gifts in curated spaces, like Knoke Fine Arts. Dave Knoke has been selling southern art off the Marietta Square for 50 years. This will be the last year Knoke will keep his doors open as he heads into retirement. You can read all about the history in our latest story in this issue.

Of course, this season wouldn’t be the same without the special people in our lives. In an age when health, family and life are at the forefront of our minds, they become even more essential to us during the holidays. We get a glimpse of how important our loved ones are, how fleeting life can be and why it’s important to make every moment count. This issue, I had the pleasure of getting to know Sharon Sigler, a four-time cancer survivor who is easily the most bubbly, charming woman I know. Sharon was candid with me about what it was like discovering she had ovarian cancer when she was about the age I am today. Her journey of thriving despite her health circumstances and finding faith and hope in everything she does is an inspiring story. I hope you can appreciate her tips from her survival tool box and other lessons she’s learned about appreciating life and living to the fullest.

I certainly can’t leave out the special musicals, ballet recitals, tree lightings and Santa meet-and-greets happening all over town. Though I’m personally fond of “The Nutcracker,” we have a list of many different events in our Holiday Happenings list.

We also have a list of December releases — the movies we’ll be watching, the shows we’ll be streaming and the books we’ll be reading — a fun look back at Christmas Past with our Now & Then segment and a Q&A with local author Don Buchanan about his debut novel that bloomed from his own family history.

I enjoyed putting together this issue for you, like a gift crafted from the many hands that work together to make Cobb Life. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

— Madison Hogan

Cobb Life Editor

Behind the cover

Months before publication, MDJ Vice President of Content JK Murphy and I discussed revisiting “The Elf on the Shelf” for the December issue of Cobb Life. Having grown up in Cobb County, I personally know how deep the Cobb County ties run with “The Elf on the Shelf” tradition; I can recall when the book was read aloud to my fifth grade class circa 2005. Murphy and I knew this story would need a magical image on the cover. I reached out to Gabriel’s Bakery, a local staple for desserts, fresh bakery items and delicious dishes, to craft our Elf on the Shelf-themed cookies on this issue’s cover. Special thanks are in order for Mo Bednarowski, financial advisor at Gabriel’s, who helped make this magical shoot happen. Trust me when I say, they tasted even better than they looked! We certainly couldn’t have done it without Justin and Rickelle Hadley from HADLEY(s) Photography. Rickelle was able to dig out her original Elf she used with her own children and other Christmas decorations we used for the photo shoot. Here’s to a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a wonderful New Year to you and your family. — MH